Quantitative genetics and the evolution of reaction norms

Abstract

Extends methods of quantitative genetics to studies of the evolution of reaction norms defined over continuous environments. Models consider both spatial variation (hard and soft selection) and temporal variation (within and between generations). These different forms of environmental variation can produce different evolutionary trajectories even when they favor the same optimal reaction norm. When genetic constraints limit the types of evolutionary changes available to a reaction norm, different forms of environmental variation can also produce different evolutionary equilibria. -from Authors